How to hire an automotive paint technician

How to hire an automotive paint technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step automotive paint technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an automotive paint technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new automotive paint technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post an automotive paint technician job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The automotive paint technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an automotive paint technician to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an automotive paint technician that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of automotive paint technicians.

   Type of Automotive Paint Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Automotive Paint Technician	Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.	$12-24
   Aircraft Painter	An aircraft painter is responsible for applying paints on the aircraft surfaces and inspecting the condition of the plane parts to ensure that the task would not affect the plane's performance in any way. Aircraft painters operate various tools and equipment to manage the flow of coating and painting according to the business specifications and requirements... Show more	$13-25
   Technician	Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with... Show more	$11-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Automotive Painting
   • Body Repair
   • Body Shop
   • Auto Body
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Painting Process
   • Paint Guns
   • Color Charts
   • Vehicle Surfaces
   • Coats
   • Safety Rules
   • PPG

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
   • Apply primer and finish coats with spray-guns, and rub down surfaces between coats.
   • Position alsoinclude RV technical work such as: replacing rubber roofing, installing A/Cunits.
   • Position also include RV technical work such as: replacing rubber roofing, installing A/C units.
   • Utilize and maintain all personal protective equipment (PPE) in performance of assign duties and tasks.
   • Repair Chrysler LLC vehicles with manufacture support diagnostic information and factory service procedures in a fast pace shop environment.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your automotive paint technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An automotive paint technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, automotive paint technicians' average salary in kentucky is 41% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level automotive paint technicians 46% less than senior-level automotive paint technicians.
   • Certifications. An automotive paint technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an automotive paint technician's salary.

   Average automotive paint technician salary

   $36,939yearly

   $17.76 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level automotive paint technician salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing an automotive paint technician job description

   An automotive paint technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an automotive paint technician job description:

   Automotive paint technician job description example

   7108 - Ft. Lauderdale - 7420 W State Road 84, Davie, Florida, 33317
   
   CarMax, the way your career should be!
   
   **Get to know our vehicles inside and out**
   
   At CarMax, we create exceptional experiences for our customers. That means preparing every one of our vehicles for sale with quality care. Working alongside a team of experienced technicians, you will ensure the paintwork is finished to CarMax's high standards. We'll help bring out the best in you with a clean, modern, climate-controlled environment where you can work comfortably all year. You will also enjoy a generous range of company benefits including paid vacation, medical and retirement plans, and car purchase discounts.
   
   **What you will do - Essential responsibilities**
   
   + Perform paint retouching, post-paint finishing, waxing and buffing to make cars look as good as new
   
   + Carry out dent repair, masking, sanding and grinding to ensure sound bodywork
   
   + Repair and replace small plastic and other parts to ensure everything about the vehicle is in good working order
   
   + Follow and promote CarMax's high standards of safety, cleanliness and organization
   
   **Be part of a team that cares about customers and their cars**
   
   In this fast-paced environment you will turn over dozens of cars each week, ensuring each looks and feels as good as the last. That means using your skills to identify problems and find and carry out solutions to provide the highest quality car. You will be part of a team that respects and shares experience and knowledge, working together to deliver great results. Your work and attention to detail will ensure every car our customers buy is safe, reliable and enjoyable to drive. And, as someone who learns fast and communicates well, you will have plenty of opportunities for career development, including the chance to gain new skills and accreditations.
   
   **Qualifications and requirements**
   
   + Experience in one or more of the following: masking, sanding, grinding and applying paint
   
   + Manual dexterity and physical stamina, lift heavy objects, and walk and stand for extended periods of time
   
   + A strong customer focus and attention to detail
   
   + Possession of a valid driver's license
   
   **About CarMax**
   
   CarMax disrupted the auto industry by delivering the honest, transparent and high-integrity experience customers want and deserve. This innovative thinking around the way cars are bought and sold has helped us become the nation's largest retailer of used cars, with over 200 locations nationwide.
   
   Our amazing team of more than 25,000 associates work together to deliver iconic customer experiences. Along the way, we help every associate grow their career and achieve their best, at work and in their community. We are recognized for our commitment to training and diversity and are one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For .
   
   CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
   
   Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right automotive paint technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your automotive paint technician job on Zippia to find and recruit automotive paint technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit automotive paint technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new automotive paint technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect automotive paint technician candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new automotive paint technician. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire an automotive paint technician?